Blanche L. Derochie

Blanche L. Derochie, 87 of Jefferson, SD passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011 at a Sioux City hospital after a brief illness. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 at Riverside Lutheran Church in Sioux City with Rev. Charles Wolff officiating. Burial will be in Elk Point (SD) Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday with the family present 6:00-8:00 p.m., a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and an Order of Eastern Star Chapter Silver Azure service at 7:30 p.m., all at the church. Condolences may be made online at www.meyerbroschapels.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Blanche was born Dec. 1, 1923 the daughter of George and Laura (Loker) Kneebone. She lived most of her life in Union County, SD on a farm. She attended Allard Rural School, graduated from Elk Point High School in 1941 and then attended Southern State Normal School in Springfield. She graduated with a B.A. Degree in Education from Briar Cliff College in 1968. On August 18, 1942 she married Otis Derochie in Midland, TX while Otis was serving in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge they returned to South Dakota where Blanche taught in several rural schools. In 1962 she began teaching in McCook School (now Dakota Valley). She taught there for 26 years. Otis died Jan. 16, 2007 in Elk Point, SD. Blanche was active in the Rebekah Lodge of Elk Point, Eastern Star Silver Chapter, Daughters of the Nile, Red Hat Club, Siouxland Crafters Club, Dakota Dudes and Dolls Square Dance Club and Rebekah Circle of Riverside Lutheran Church. Her special interests were making crafts, 4-H Leader, sewing, crocheting and teaching 3rd grade. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Gary and Marilyn Derochie of Sioux City, IA, Dennis and Sherry Derochie of McCook Lake, SD and a daughter and her husband, Barbara and Tom Bernard of Chadron, NE; seven grandchildren, Thad and his wife, Tracie, Todd and his special friend, Sarah, Jared, Kevin and Kyle Derochie, Laura Hagman and her husband, Tate and Brooke Keim and her husband, Kevin of Chadron, NE; three great-granddaughters, Megan, Madalyn and Cameron and two great-grandsons, Kade and Kody; a sister, Betty Wheelock of Sioux City; a brother and his wife, George and Gloma Kneebone of Jefferson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister, Madonna and two brothers, Roy and Clarence. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express gratitude for all the love and kindness shown to Blanche by friends, relatives, Dr. Elizabeth McInerney and all of the hospital staff.